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When to Plant Chinese Cabbage in Guernsey County, OH

Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage) forms elongated, barrel-shaped heads with tender, mild-flavored leaves. It is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly for kimchi.

Guernsey County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 790 feet, Guernsey County receives approximately 30.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chinese Cabbage during the growing season.

Guernsey County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Guernsey County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 9

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,127 gal / 100 sq ft
Chinese Cabbage needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,084 GDD Excellent fit

Chinese Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Guernsey County, OH

Chinese Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Jul 23

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

169 days

Growing Tips for Guernsey County

Best grown as a fall crop to avoid bolting. Start seeds indoors or direct sow in late summer. Keep soil consistently moist and provide shade in warm weather.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chinese Cabbage in Guernsey County, OH?

Guernsey County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Chinese Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Guernsey County, OH?

Guernsey County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Guernsey County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Guernsey County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.